The Age-old Anbernic 40XX/35XX/28XX Dilemma

The Age-old Anbernic 40XX/35XX/28XX Dilemma

Updated as of 02/08/2024 with the addition of RG40XX H to the list of devices

With the way that Anbernic is pumping out a new device every month, it would come as no surprise that the average consumer looking to get into retro handhelds would be immediately intimidated or even confused. 

The way that Anbernic names their products isn't helping much too. 

That's why I've put together this guide to help you make a decision on getting your Anbernic handheld!

We'll be discussing the Anbernic RG35XX 2024, RG35XX Plus, RG35XX H, RG35XX SP and RG28XX. 

Most of them might look quite different from each other but there is one common denominator - all of these devices spot the Allwinner H700 chipset, therefore it is pretty safe to say that all of these devices perform the same when it comes to CPU capabilities. Believe it or not, all of these devices will let you play up to *SOME* PSP titles. 

 

ANBERNIC RG35XX 2024

This console is an upgrade to the RG35XX that released in 2023. The 2023 model got so much love that Anbernic decided to introduce an upgraded and more juiced version. But by doing that, it would deviate away from the very thing that propelled it into the mainstream consciousness - GarlicOS. 

An abridged list of pros and cons are as follows:

✅ It has original colorways offered by the 2023 version of RG35XX which includes clear purple, clear white, grey and a new addition of clear black. 

✅ It has 4 operating systems available to it, just like the other four RG35XX/28XX models mentioned here. MuOS, Batocera/Knulli, MinUI and StockOS. 

✅ It has a mini HDMI port that allows you to consolise the device and play it on a bigger monitor, with the potential to have multiple controllers plugged in via the USB port and still ending up playing multiplayer anyways. 

❌ It does not provide any sort of connectivity, no bluetooth or wifi available.

❌ Smaller battery capacity as compared to most of the other four consoles on the list. 

 

 WHO IS THIS DEVICE FOR?

If you don't care for connectivity and you NEED to have that clear purple or clear white just for nostalgia's sake, this is the device for you!

 

ANBERNIC RG35XX PLUS

If the RG35XX 2024 is the neglected middle-child, the RG35XX Plus feels like the less neglected middle-child. Before it got released, there were so much hype generated, so much so that when we first laid our hands on the RG35XX Plus, we were disappointed as we couldn't run GarlicOS on it right out of the box

We were greeted by this crap instead. 

An abridged list of pros and cons are as follows:

✅ It is basically the RG35XX 2024 with Wifi and Bluetooth. 

✅ It has a beefier battery capacity at 3300mAh.

✅ Custom firmware like MuOS, Bactocera/Knulli that use Netplay or Portmaster would benefit from this device's connectivity.

❌ This vertical form factor is great, but if you play PSP, N64 games that require both the joystick and d-pad to function, you might be in a pickle as this device doesn't have any joysticks.

 
WHO IS THIS DEVICE FOR?

If this vertical Gameboy-like form factor gives you the right feels and you want the connectivity and only need to play older stuffs that don't involve the joysticks, this device is definitely for you. 

 

ANBERNIC RG35XX SP

This iteration of the RG35XX has the exact same amount of input options as the RG35XX Plus, but it is treated as some sort of golden poster child of the RG35XX's. 

That's because it deserves to be treated as the golden boy. 
Miyoo spent half the year teasing the Miyoo flip with images and videos of an upcoming flip device set to be more powerful than the Miyoo Mini Plus. People were starved for a new pocket-friendly flip device since the release of the beloved Powkiddy V90.

✅ It is basically the exact same thing as the RG35XX Plus, but it's just way more unique and awesome because it looks like a GBA SP. 

✅ Repeat last point

✅ Repeat last point

✅ Clamshell design gives you more options when it comes to shutting the device down or putting the device to sleep. Currently on MuOS, MinUI and StockOS, you can safely put device to sleep once you close the lid on the 35XX SP.

❌ Same cons as RG35XX Plus

WHO IS THIS DEVICE FOR?
Anyone that loves the original GBA SP form factor and doesn't care for games that need joystick input after the N64 era. 

This tiny console definitely packs a punch. It has the exact same processing power as the previous consoles mentioned and it's almost sized like a Snickers bar! 

 

✅ Pocketability and portability. The other consoles are pocketable as well but this brings it another level. If you are a lady with a tiny handbag and don't have that much estate to spend on a gaming gadget, you can just toss this inside. 

✅ Same number of operating systems available to it as the other consoles.

❌ No connectivitiy.

❌ A small 2.8 inch screen, that is smaller than the 3.5 inch screen on all of the other devices. 

❌ D-pad and face buttons are proportionately scaled down to the size of the entire device. Could be a miss for people with larger hands. 

 

WHO IS THIS DEVICE FOR?

Anyone that wanna take a device out of a handbag/sling bag for a good 10 minutes of Puzzle Bobble or Street Fighter. 

Could this be the device that nailed it all? 

If it's your first time venturing into getting a retro-gaming handheld, and just need that one singular device, this could be the one to end all. 

Sized like a phone, this horizontal device is such a joy and comfortable to use. It's safe to say that this could be the most comfortable to use when pitted against the other 3.5-inch consoles listed above.

✅ Horizontal form factor is more ergonomic and comfortable to use compared to the rest. 

✅ Super pocketable and THIN compared to the other consoles. 

✅ Has joystick input options that gives you the capability to have fuller controls in the newer retro systems like N64, Dreamcast, NDS and PSP. 

❌ Clicky non-stacked shoulder buttons could be a miss for some. 

❌ The ergonomics, while being better than the vertical consoles featured here, is still pale in comparison to devices like Trimui Smart Pro, RG556, RG Cube and RG ARC. 

And lastly, we have the...

This is the latest addition to the Allwinner H700 family of consoles from Anbernic. With Anbernic taking inspiration from anything out there so that they can cast a wider net to capture a huge chunk of the retro handheld market, the RG40XX H felt like a little bit of a gut punch to people who recently settled for the RG35XX H. Although the half an inch of extra screen estate and stacked shoulder buttons are great, it still felt like such a meagre upgrade. Therefore, if you've already got one of the RG35XX series of consoles, this device might very well be redundant. 
However there are still some very compelling reasons for you to pick up one of these!

✅ The bigger screen makes scaling of 4:3 games look much better on the 4-inch screen. 

✅ If you like to stream your pc games on this sort of devices, the bigger screen and stacked shoulder buttons definitely gives you a QOL improvement over the other H700 counterparts. 

✅ Has RGB lights, if you are the sort that would like RGB lights on anything and everything. 

✅ The rounded edges and slightly larger body size makes it more comfortable to use than any of the other 35XX devices.

✅ Same amount of pros as the 35XX H when it comes to gaming due to the presence of joycon inputs. 

✅ 3 firmwares in StockOS, Knulli and MinUI are currently available. 

❌ There are currently some complains in the community about the device heating up on the back when heavier systems are played on the console. 

❌ The use of the same H700 chip makes the device feel repetitive. 

CONCLUSION

In summary, I feel like any of these devices can't really go wrong. I think Anbernic has really done a great job at unifying its lower-end models as consumers do now have a benchmark and expectation of what certain devices can do at a certain price range. On top of that, having the same chipset would make the development of custom firmwares so much easier for the community developers. As of now, I feel like we are kind of spoilt with how many options we have out there.

By the end of this article, Anbernic might have announced another 35XX/28XX/H700 family console with the way that they are rolling these things out and the way that people are gobbling them up.

The hunt for that "perfect" console continues as we head into the second half of 2024. Will we ever get close to getting that one console to end all? 

 

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